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By  the  same  author:   Homeward  Songs  by  the  Way. 


0t\jn  Poems  ^  M,  €.  -^^^) 


JT'' : 


V 


^ubli0l)cD  br  3ol)n  Lane,  ^ign  of  tl)c 
l3ot!le^  l^cati,  iSctu  Ji^oili  anD  LoutJon 


Copyrighted  in  the  United  States 
All  rights  reserved 


Fifteen  of  these  poems  ha-ve  already  been  published  xn  the  American 
edition  of  '■'■  Homeivard  Songs  by  the  tVay.^^ 


i<:.LUDE 
IHE   EARTH   BREATH 
ALTER   EGO 
A   VISION   OF   BEAUTY 
THE  VOICE   OF   THE   SEA 
LOVE 

THE   MOUNTAINEER 
DAWN   SONG 
IMMORTALITY 

A  woman's  voice 

HEROIC  LOVE 

BENEDICTION 

THE   MEMORY   OF   EARTH 

DREAM   LOVE 

MORNING 

THE  DREAM   OF  TH 

SONG 

THE   FOUNTAIN   OF 

WEARINESS     . 

ALIEN 

BLINDNESS      . 

JANUS 

ILLUSION 

AWAKENING 

THE   DARK   AGE 

THE   MAN   TO   THE   ANGEL 


E   CHILDREN 


SHADOWY   BEAUTY 


9 
I  I 

13 

17 
18 

zo 

21 

23 
24 

25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 

33 
34 
44 
46 

47 
48 

49 
50 
51 
52 


Contcntjsf 


THE   GARDEN   OF   GOD 

THE   HOUR   OF  TWILIGHT 

A   NEW   WORLD 

BROTHERHOOD 

THE  SEER 

A   NEW   THEME 

GLORY   AND   SHADOW 

THE   FREE       . 

THE   FACE   OF   FACES 

THE   ROBING   OF  THE   KING 

WINTER 

ANSWER 

DUALITY 

DIVINE   VISITATION 

THE   CHRIST  SWORD 

THE   MESSAGE   OF  JOHN 

THE   HOUR   OF   THE   KING 

A   LEADER       . 

A   LAST   COUNSEL      . 

ENDURANCE 

THE   MID-WORLD      . 

THE   TIDE   OF  SORROW 

TRAGEDY 

IN   THE  WOMB 

STAR   TEACHERS 

ON  A  HILLSIDE 


53 
54 
55 

57 

58 

59 
60 

63 
64 
66 
69 

70 

71 
72 

73 

74 
80 

81 
82 
83 
85 
86 

87 


90 


(Content^ 


A   RETURN     .  .  .  •  •  •  •  9^ 

CONTENT        .  .  •  •  •  ■  •  93 

EPILOGUE       ...••••  94 


€o  Ul  OB.  gcat0 


/  THO  UGHT,  beloved,  to  have  brought  to  you 
A  gift  of  quietness  and  ease  and  peace. 
Cooling  your  brow  as  with  the  mystic  dew 
Dropping  from  twilight  trees. 

Homeward  I  go  not  yet ;   the  darkness  grows ; 

Not  mine  the  voice  to  still  with  peace  divine: 

From  the  first  fount  the  stream  of  quiet  fiows 

Through  other  hearts  than  mine. 

Tet  of  my  night  I  give  to  you  the  stars. 
And  of  my  sorrow  here  the  sweetest  gains. 
And  out  of  hell,  beyond  its  iron  bars. 
My  scorn  of  all  its  pains. 


€1^^  €artl)  -:25rcatl3 

FROM  the  cool  and  dark-lipped  furrows 

breathes  a  dim  delight 
Through  the  woodland's  purple  plumage 

to  the  diamond  night. 
Aureoles  of  joy  encircle 

every  blade  of  grass 
Where  the  dew-fed  creatures  silent 

and  enraptured  pass. 
And  the  restless  ploughman  pauses, 

turns  and,  wondering, 
Deep  beneath  his  rustic  habit 

finds  himself  a  king  ; 
For  a  fiery  moment  looking 

with  the  eyes  of  God 
Over  fields  a  slave  at  morning 

bowed  him  to  the  sod. 
Blind  and  dense  with  revelation 

every  moment  flies, 
And  unto  the  mighty  mother, 

gav,  eternal,  rise 
All  the  hopes  we  hold,  the  gladness, 

dreams  of  things  to  be. 
One  of  all  thv  generations, 

mother,  hails  to  thee. 
Hail,  and  hail,  and  hail  for  ever, 

though  I  turn  again 


From  thy  joy  unto  the  human 

vestiture  of  pain. 
I,  thy  child  who  went  forth  radiant 

in  the  golden  prime. 
Find  thee  still  the  mother-hearted 

through  my  night  in  time  ; 
Find  in  thee  the  old  enchantment 

there  behind  the  veil 
Where  the  gods,  my  brothers,  linger. 

hail,  forever,  hail  ! 


%\ttt  €go 

ALL  the  morn  a  spirit  gay 
Breathes  within  my  heart  a  rhvme, 
'Tis  but  hide  and  seek  we  play 
In  and  out  the  courts  of  Time. 

Fairy  lover,  when  my  teet 
Through  the  tangled  woodland  go, 
'Tis  thv  sunnv  fingers  fleet 
Fleck  the  fire  dews  to  and  fro. 

In  the  moonlight  grows  a  smile 
Mid  its  rays  of  dusty  pearl — 
'Tis  but  hide  and  seek  the  while. 
As  some  frolic  boy  and  girl. 

When  I  fade  into  the  deep 
Some  mysterious  radiance  showers 
From  the  jewel-heart  of  sleep 
Through  the  veil  of  darkened  hours. 

Where  the  ring  of  twilight  gleams 
Round  the  sanctuary  wrought. 
Whispers  haunt  me— in  my  dreams 
We  are  one  vet  know  it  not. 

Some  for  beautv  follow  long 
Flving  traces  ;   some  there  be 
Seek  thee  onlv  for  a  song  : 
I  to  lose  mvself  in  thee. 


13 


3il  l^i^ion  of  iscautp 

WHERE  we  sat  at  dawn   together,  while  the  star-rich 

heavens  shifted, 
We  were  weaving   dreams   in   silence,  suddenly   the   veil 

was  lifted. 
By  a  hand  of  fire  awakened,  in  a  moment  caught  and  led 
Upward    to  the  wondrous  vision — through  the  star-mists 

overhead 
Flare   and   flaunt   the   monstrous   highlands  ;   on  the  sap- 
phire coast  of  night 
Fall    the   ghostly  froth   and   fringes  of  the   ocean   of  the 

light. 
Many  coloured  shine   the  vapours  :    to  the   moon-eye   far 

away 
'Tis  the  fairy  ring  of  twilight,  mid   the   spheres   of  night 

and  dav. 
Girdling  with  a  rainbow  cincture  round  the  planet  where 

we  go. 
We  and  it  together  fleeting,  poised  upon  the  pearly  glow; 
We  and  it  and  all   together  flashing   through    the    starry 

spaces 
In  a  tempest   dream   of  beauty  lighting   up   the   place   of 

places. 
Halt  our  eyes  behold  the  glory  ;   half  within   the   spirit's 

glow 
Echoes  of  the  noiseless  revels  and  the  will  ot  Beautv  go. 
By  a   hand   of  fire    uplifted — to    her    star-strewn    palace 

brought, 

H 


%  m$mx  of  Bcautp 

To   the   mystic    heart    of  beauty  and    the    secret    of  her 

thought : 
Here  of  vore  the  ancient  mother  in   the  fire  mists  sank  to 

rest, 
And  she  buik  her  dreams  about  her,  raved  from   out  her 

burning  breast  : 
Here    the    wild    will   woke   within    her    lighting    up   her 

flying  dreams. 
Round   and   round   the  planets  whirling   break   in  woods 

and  flowers  and  streams. 
And  the  winds  are  shaken  from  them   as  the  leaves  from 

off  the  rose. 
And  the  feet  of  earth  go  dancing  in  the  way  that  beauty 

goes. 
And  the  souls  of  earth  are  kindled  bv  the  incense  of  her 

breath 
As   her  light   alternate   lures   them   through    the   gates  ot 

birth  and  death. 
O'er  the  fields  ot    space    together   following    her    flving 

traces. 
In  a  radiant  tumult  thronging,  suns  and  stars  and  mvriad 

races 
Mount  the  spirit  spires  of  beauty,  reaching  onward  to  the 

dav 
When  the  shepherd  of  the  Ages  draws   his    misty  hordes 

away 


%  m^ion  of  l^cautp 

Through  the  glimmering  deeps  to  silence,  and  within  the 

awful  fold 
Life  and  joy  and  love  forever  vanish  as  a  tale  is  told. 
Lost  within  the  mother's  being.       So   the   vision   flamed 

and  fled. 
And  before  the  glorv  fallen  every  other  dream  lay  dead. 


i6 


Cljc  tE)oicc  of  ti}c  ^ca 

THE  sea  was  hoary,  hoary, 
Beating  on  rock  and  cave  : 
The  winds  were  white  and  weeping 
With  foam  dust  of  the  wave. 

They  thundered  louder,  louder. 
With  storm-lips  curled  in  scorn — 
And  dost  thou  tremble  before  us, 
O  fallen  star  of  morn? 


17 


Hobe 

ERE   I  loose  myself  in   the  vastness  and  drowse  myself 

with  the  peace. 
While  I  gaze  on  the  light  and  the  beauty  afar  from  the 

dim  homes  of  men. 
May  I  still  feel   the  heart-pang  and   pity,  love-ties  that   I 

would  not  release ; 
May  the  voices  of  sorrow  appealing  call  me  back  to  their 

succour  again. 

Ere  I  storm  with   the  tempest  of  power  the  thrones  and 

dominions  of  old. 
Ere  the  ancient  enchantment  allure  me  to  roam  through 

the  star-misty  skies, 
I  would  go  forth  as  one  who  has  reaped  well  what  harvest 

the  earth  may  unfold  ; 
May  my  heart  be  o'erbrimmed  with  compassion;   on  my 

brow  be  the  crown  of  the  wise. 

I  would  go  as  the  dove  from  the  ark  sent  forth  with  wishes 
and  prayers 

To  return  with  the  paradise  blossoms  that  bloom  in  the 
eden  of  light : 

When  the  deep  star-chant  of  the  seraphs  I  hear  in  the 
mystical  airs. 

May  I  capture  one  tone  of  their  joy  for  the  sad  ones  dis- 
crowned in  the  night. 


Slobc 

Not  alone,  not  alone  would  I  go  to  my  rest  in  the  heart 

of  the  love  : 
Were  I  tranced  in  the  innermost  beauty,  the  flame  of  its 

tenderest  breath, 
I  would  still  hear  the  plaint  of  the  fallen  recalling  me  back 

from  above. 
To  go  down  to  the  side  of  the  mourners  who  weep  in  the 

shadow  of  death. 


19 


Cfjc  Sl^ountaincer 

OH,  at  the  eagle's  height 
To  he  i'  the  sweet  of  the  sun. 
While  veil  after  veil  takes  flight 
And  God  and  the  world  are  one. 

Oh,  the  night  on  the  steep! 
All  that  his  eyes  saw  dim 
Grows  light  in  the  dusky  deep. 
And  God  is  alone  with  him. 


H>atDn  J>ong 

WHILE  the  earth  is  dark  and  grey 
How  I  laugh  within.      I  know 
In  my  breast  what  ardours  gay 
From  the  morning  overflow. 

Though  the  cheek  be  white  and  wet 
In  my  heart  no  fear  may  fall : 
There  mv  chieftain  leads  and  yet 
Ancient  battle  trumpets  call. 

Bend  on  me  no  hasty  frown 
If  my  spirit  slight  your  cares  : 
Sunlike  still  my  joy  looks  down 
Changing  tears  to  beamy  airs. 

Think  me  not  of  fickle  heart 
If  with  joy  my  bosom  swells 
Though  your  ways  from  mine  depart. 
In  the  true  are  no  farewells. 

What  I  love  in  you  I  find 
Everywhere.      A  friend  I  greet 
In  each  flower  and  tree  and  wind — 
Oh,  but  hfe  is  sweet,  is  sweet! 

What  to  you  are  bolts  and  bars 
Are  to  me  the  arms  that  guide 
To  the  freedom  of  the  stars. 
Where  mv  golden  kinsmen  bide. 


21 


From  my  mountain  top  I  view  : 
Twilight's  purple  flower  is  gone. 
And  I  send  my  song  to  you 
On  the  level  light  of  dawn. 


^Fmmortalitp 

WE  must  pass  like  smoke  or  live  within  the  spirit's  fire  ; 
For  we  can  no  more  than  smoke  unto  the  flame  return 
If  our  thought  has  changed  to  dream,  our  will  unto  desire. 
As  smoke  we  vanish  though  the  fire  may  burn. 

Lights  of  infinite  pity  star  the  grey  dusk  of  our  days  : 
Surely  here  is  soul  :   with  it  we  have  eternal  breath : 
In  the  fire  of  love  we  live,  or  pass  by  many  ways, 
Bv  unnumbered  wavs  of  dream  to  death. 


511  IBoman'^  Boicr 

HIS  head  within  my  bosom  lav. 
But  yet  his  spirit  shpped  not  through: 
I  only  felt  the  burning  clay 
That  withered  for  the  cooling  dew. 

It  was  but  pity  when  I  spoke 
And  called  him  to  my  heart  for  rest. 
And  half  a  mother's  love  that  woke 
Feeling  his  head  upon  my  breast  : 

And  half  the  lion's  tenderness 
To  shield  her  cubs  from  hurt  or  death. 
Which,  when  the  serried  hunters  press. 
Makes  terrible  her  wounded  breath. 

But  when  the  lips  I  breathed  upon 
Asked  for  such  love  as  equals  claim — 
I  looked  where  all  the  stars  were  gone 
Burned  in  the  day's  immortal  flame. 

'  Come  thou  like  yon  great  dawn  to  me 
From  darkness  vanquished,  battles  done: 
Flame  unto  flame  shall  flow  and  be 
Within  thv  heart  and  mine  as  one.' 


24 


WHEN  our  glowing  dreams  were  dead. 
Ruined  our  heroic  piles. 
Something  in  your  dark  eyes  said: 
'  Think  no  more  of  love  or  smiles.' 

Something  in  me  still  would  say, 

'  Though  our  dreamland  palace  goes, 

I  have  seen  how  in  decay 

Still  the  wild  rose  chngs  and  blows.' 

But  your  dark  eyes  willed  it  thus : 
'Build  our  lofty  dream  again: 
Let  our  palace  rise  o'er  us  : 
Love  can  never  be  till  then.' 


23cnctJict:on 

NOW  the  rooftree  of  the  midnight  spreading. 

Buds  in  citron,  green,  and  blue : 
From  afar  its  mystic  odours  shedding. 
Child,  on  you. 

Now  the  buried  stars  beneath  the  mountain 

And  the  vales  their  life  renew. 
Jetting  rainbow  blooms  from  tiny  fountains. 
Child,  for  you. 

In  the  diamond  air  the  sun-star  glowing. 

Up  its  feathered  radiance  threw  ; 
All  the  jewel  glory  there  was  flowing. 
Child,  for  vou. 

As  within  the  quiet  waters  passing. 

Sun  and  moon  and  srars  we  view. 
So  the  loveliness  of  life  is  glassing. 
Child,  in  vou. 

And  the  fire  divine  in  all  things  burning 

Seeks  the  mvstic  heart  anew. 
From  its  wanderings  far  again  returning, 
Child,  to  vou. 


26 


Zl)t  Sl^emorp  of  €tutly 

IN  the  wet  dusk  silver  sweet, 
Down  the  violet  scented  ways. 
As  I  moved  with  quiet  feet 
I  was  met  by  mighty  days. 

On  the  hedge  the  hanging  dew 
Glassed  the  eve  and  stars  and  skies; 
While  I  gazed  a  madness  grew 
Into  thundered  battle  cries. 

Where  the  hawthorn  glimmered  white. 
Flashed  the  spear  and  fell  the  stroke — 
Ah,  what  faces  pale  and  bright 
Where  the  dazzling  battle  broke  ! 

There  a  hero-hearted  queen 
With  young  beauty  ht  the  van: 
Gone  !   the  darkness  flowed  between 
All  the  ancient  wars  of  man. 

While  I  paced  the  valley's  gloom 
Where  the  rabbits  pattered  near. 
Shone  a  temple  and  a  tomb 
With  the  legend  carven  clear: 

'  Time  put  by  a  m-^riad  fates 
That  her  da"^  might  dazvn  in  glory; 
Death  made  wide  a  million  gates 
So  to  close  her  tragic  story.' 


27 


SDrcam  Itobc 

I  DID  not  deem  it  half  so  sweet 
To  feel  thy  gentle  hand. 
As  in  a  dream  thy  soul  to  greet 
Across  wide  leagues  of  land. 

Untouched  more  near  to  draw  to  you 
Where,  amid  radiant  skies. 
Glimmered  thy  plumes  of  iris  hue. 
My  Bird  of  Paradise. 

Let  me  dream  only  with  mv  heart. 
Love  first,  and  after  see: 
Know  thy  diviner  counterpart 
Before  I  kneel  to  thee. 

So  in  thy  motions  all  expressed 
Thy  angel  I  may  view  : 
I  shall  not  on  thy  beauty  rest. 
But  Beauty's  rav  in  vou. 


28 


WE  had  the  sense  of  twilight  round  us  ; 
The  orange  dawn  lights  fluttered  by  ; 
And  thrilhng  through  the  spell  that  bound  us 
We  heard  the  world's  awakening  cry. 

We  felt  the  dim  appeal  of  sorrow 
Rolled  outward  from  its  quiet  breath. 
To  waken  to  the  burdened  morrow. 
The  toil  for  life,  the  tears  for  death  : 

And  out  of  all  old  pain  and  longing 
The  truer  love  woke  with  the  light  : 
We  saw  the  evil  shadows  thronging. 
And  went  as  warriors  to  the  fight. 


29 


€l^e  Dream  of  ti;^t  €l)iiDrcu 

THE  children  awoke  in  their  dreaming 

While  earth  lay  dewy  and  still : 
They  followed  the  rill  in  its  gleaming 

To  the  heart-light  of  the  hill. 

Its  sounds  and  sights  were  forsaking 
The  world  as  they  faded  in  sleep. 

When  they  heard  a  music  breaking 
Out  from  the  heart-light  deep. 

It  ran  where  the  rill  in  its  flowing 

Under  the  star-light  gay. 
With  wonderful  colour  was  glowing 

Like  the  bubbles  they  blew  in  their  play. 

From  the  misty  mountain  under 

Shot  gleams  of  an  opal  star; 
Its  pathways  of  rainbow  wonder 

Rayed  to  their  feet  from  afar. 

From  their  feet  as  they  strayed  in  the  meadow 

It  led  through  caverned  aisles. 
Filled  with  purple  and  green  light  and  shadow 

For  mystic  miles  on  miles. 

The  children  were  glad :   it  was  lonely 

To  play  on  the  hillside  by  day. 
*  But  now'  they  said,  '  we  have  only 

To  go  where  the  good  people  stray.' 


3° 


^i}C  SDrcam  of  tiyt  €i)i\hvm 

For  all  the  hillside  was  haunted 

By  the  faery  folk  come  again  ; 
And  down  in  the  heart-light  enchanted 

Were  opal  coloured  men. 

They  moved  like  kings  unattended 

Without  a  squire  or  dame, 
But  they  wore  tiaras  splendid 

With  feathers  of  starlight  flame. 

They  laughed  at  the  children  over 
And  called  them  into  the  heart. 

'Come  down  here,  each  sleepless  rover; 
We  will  show  you  some  of  our  art.' 

And  down  through  the  cool  of  the  mountain 

The  children  sank  at  the  call, 
And  stood  in  a  blazing  fountain 

And  never  a  mountain  at  all. 

The  lights  were  coming  and  going 

In  many  a  shining  strand. 
For  the  opal  fire-kings  were  blowing 

The  darkness  out  of  the  land. 

This  golden  breath  was  a  madness 

To  set  a  poet  on  fire ; 
And  this  was  a  cure  for  sadness. 

And  that  the  ease  of  desire. 


31 


€l^e  SDrcam  of  tiyt  Cfjiltircn 

And  all  night  long  over  Eri 

They  fought  with  the  wand  of  light. 
And  love  that  never  grew  weary 

The  evil  things  of  night. 

They  said  as  dawn  glimmered  hoary 

*  We  will  show  yourselves  for  an  hour.' 

And  the  children  were  changed  to  a  glory 
By  the  beautiful  magic  of  power. 

The  fire-kings  smiled  on  their  faces 
And  called  them  by  olden  names. 

Till  they  towered  like  the  starry  races 
All  plumed  with  the  twilight  flames. 

They  talked  for  a  while  together 
How  the  toil  of  ages  oppressed. 

And  of  how  they  best  could  weather 
The  ship  of  the  world  to  its  rest. 

The  dawn  in  the  room  was  straying: 

The  children  began  to  blink. 
When  they  heard  a  far  voice  saying 

'You  can  grow  hke  that  if  you  think.' 

The  sun  came  in  yellow  and  gay  light : 
They  tumbled  out  of  the  cot : 

And  half  of  the  dream  went  with  daylight 
And  half  was  never  forgot. 


32 


DUSK  its  ash-grey  blossoms  sheds  on  violet  skies. 
Over  twilight  mountains  where  the  heart  songs  rise. 
Rise  and  fall  and  fade  away  from  earth  to  air. 
Earth  renews  the  music  sweeter.      Oh,  come  there. 
Come,  macushia,  come,  as  in  ancient  times 
Rings  aloud  the  underland  with  faerv  chimes. 
Down  the  unseen  wavs  as  stravs  each  tinkling  fleece 
Winding  ever  onward  to  a  fold  of  peace. 
So  my  dreams  go  straying  in  a  land  more  fair ; 
Half  I  tread  the  dew-wet  grasses,  half  wander  there. 
Fade  your  glimmering  eves  in  a  world  grown  cold ; 
Come,  macushia,  with  me  to  the  mountains  old. 
There  the  bright  ones  call  us  waving  to  and  fro — 
Come,  mv  children,  with  me  to  the  ancient  go. 


33 


Z\)t  fountain  of  J>ljatioi3Dji  23eautp 

A   Dream 

/  fVOULD  I  could  weave  in 

The  colour,  the  wonder. 
The  song  I  conceive  in 

My  heart  tvhile  I  ponder. 

And  show  how  it  came  like 

The  magi  of  old 
Whose  chant  was  a  flame  like 

The  dawn' s  voice  of  gold  ; 

Whose  dreams  followed  near  them 

A  mur?nur  of  birds. 
And  ear  still  could  hear  them 

Unchanted  in  words. 

In  words  I  can  only 

Reveal  thee  my  heart. 
Oh,  Light  of  the  Lonely, 

The  shining  impart. 

Between  the  twilight  and  the  dark 
The  lights  danced  up  before  my  eyes  : 
I  found  no  sleep  or  peace  or  rest. 
But  dreams  of  stars  and  burning  skies. 


34 


€ftc  fountain  of  J>ljatioU)p  25cautp 

I  knew  the  faces  of  the  day — 
Dream  faces,  pale,  with  cloudv  hair, 
I  knew  you  not  nor  yet  vour  home. 
The  Fount  of  Shadowy  Beauty,  where  ? 

I  passed  a  dream  of  gloomy  ways 
Where  ne'er  did  human  feet  intrude  : 
It  was  the  border  of  a  wood, 
A  dreadful  forest  solitude. 

With  wondrous  red  and  fairy  gold 

The  clouds  were  woven  o'er  the  ocean  ; 

The  stars  in  ficrv  sther  swung 

And  danced  with  gay  and  glittering  motion. 

A  fire  leaped  up  within  mv  heart 
When  first  I  saw  the  old  sea  shine  ; 
As  if  a  god  were  there  revealed 
I  bowed  my  head  in  awe  divine  ; 

And  long  beside  the  dim  sea  marge 
I  mused  until  the  gathering  haze 
Veiled  from  me  where  the  silver  tide 
Ran  in  its  thousand  shadowv  ways. 

The  black  night  dropped  upon  the  sea  : 
The  silent  awe  came  down  with  it  : 


35 


Clje  fountain  of  J>l)atiotDp  25eautp 

I  saw  fantastic  vapours  flee 
As  o'er  the  darkness  of  the  pit. 

When,  lo  !   from  out  the  furthest  night 
A  speck  of  rose  and  silver  light 
Above  a  boat  shaped  wondrously 
Came  floating  swiftly  o'er  the  sea. 

It  was  no  human  will  that  bore 
The  boat  so  fleetly  to  the  shore 
Without  a  sail  spread  or  an  oar. 

The  Pilot  stood  erect  thereon 
And  lifted  up  his  ancient  face. 
Ancient  with  glad  eternal  youth 
Like  one  who  was  of  starry  race. 

His  face  was  rich  with  dusky  bloom  ; 
His  eyes  a  bronze  and  golden  fire  ; 
His  hair  in  streams  of  silver  light 
Hung  flamelike  on  his  strange  attire. 

Which,  starred  with  many  a  mystic  sign. 
Fell  as  o'er  sunlit  ruby  glowing  : 
His  light  flew  o'er  the  waves  afar 
In  ruddy  ripples  on  each  bar 
Along  the  spiral  pathways  flowing. 


36 


€)[je  fountain  of  ^ijatiotup  ^cautp 

It  was  a  crystal  boat  that  chased 
The  light  along  the  watery  waste. 
Till  caught  amid  the  surges  hoary 
The  Pilot  staved  its  jewelled  glory. 

Oh,  never  such  a  glory  was  : 

The  pale  moon  shot  it  through  and  through 

With  light  of  lilac,  white  and  blue  : 

And  there  mid  many  a  tairy  hue. 

Of  pearl  and  pink  and  amethyst. 

Like  lightning  ran  the  rainbow  gleams 

And  wove  around  a  wonder-mist. 

The  Pilot  lifted  beckoning  hands  ; 

Silent  I  went  with  deep  amaze 

To  know  why  came  this  Beam  of  Light 

So  far  along  the  ocean  ways 

Out  of  the  vast  and  shadowy  night. 

'  Make  haste,  make  haste  !  '  he  cried.    '  Away! 
A  thousand  ages  now  are  gone. 
Yet  thou  and  I  ere  night  be  sped 
Will  reck  no  more  of  eve  or  dawn.' 

Swift  as  the  swallow  to  its  nest 

I  leaped  :   my  body  dropt  right  down: 

A  silver  star  I  rose  and  flew. 


37 


€l)c  fountain  of  ^tjatJotop  25cautp 

A  flame  burned  golden  at  his  breast  : 
I  entered  at  the  heart  and  knew 
My  Brother-Self  who  roams  the  deep. 
Bird  ot  the  wonder-world  of  sleep. 

The  ruby  vesture  wrapped  us  round 
As  twain  in  one  :    we  left  behind 
The  league-long  murmur  of  the  shore 
And  fleeted  swifter  than  the  wind. 

The  distance  rushed  upon  the  bark  : 
We  neared  unto  the  mystic  isles  : 
The  heavenly  city  we  could  mark. 
Its  mountain  hght,  its  jewel  dark. 
Its  pinnacles  and  starrv  piles. 

The  glory  brightened  :    '  Do  not  fear; 
For  we  are  real,  though  what  seems 
So  proudly  built  above  the  waves 
Is  but  one  mighty  spirit's  dreams. 

*  Our  Father's  house  hath  manv  fanes; 
Yet  enter  not  and  worship  not. 
For  thought  but  follows  after  thought 
Till  last  consuming  self  it  wanes. 

'The  Fount  of  Shadowy  Beautv  flings 
Its  glamour  o'er  the  light  of  day  : 


38 


€tjc  fountain  of  ^l)atiotup  25cautp 

A  music  in  tlie  sunlight  sings 
To  call  the  dreamy  hearts  away 
Their  mighty  hopes  to  ease  awhile  : 
We  will  not  go  the  way  of  them  : 
The  chant  makes  drowsy  those  who  seek 
The  sceptre  and  the  diadem. 

'  The  Fount  of  Shadowy  Beauty  throws 
Its  magic  round  us  all  the  night  ; 
What  things  the  heart  would  be,  it  sees 
And  chases  them  in  endless  flight. 
Or  coiled  in  phantom  visions  there 
It  builds  within  the  halls  of  fire  ; 
Its  dreams  flash  Hke  the  peacock's  wing 
And  glow  with  sun-hues  of  desire. 
We  will  not  follow  in  their  ways 
Nor  heed  the  lure  of  fay  or  elt. 
But  in  the  ending  of  our  days 
Rest  in  the  high  Ancestral  Self.' 

The  boat  of  crystal  touched  the  shore, 
Then  melted  flamelike  from  our  eyes. 
As  in  the  twilight  drops  the  sun 
Withdrawing  rays  of  paradise. 

We  hurried  under  arched  aisles 
That  far  above  in  heaven  withdrawn 


€|)c  fountain  of  ^Jjatioixip  23rautp 

With  cloudy  pillars  stormed  the  night. 
Rich  as  the  opal  shafts  of  dawn. 

I  would  have  lingered  then — but  he  : 

'  Oh,  let  us  haste  :   the  dream  grows  dim. 

Another  night,  another  day, 

A  thousand  years  will  part  from  him, 

'  Who  is  that  Ancient  One  divine 
From  whom  our  phantom  being  born 
Rolled  with  the  wonder-light  around 
Had  started  in  the  fairy  morn. 

'  A  thousand  of  our  years  to  him 
Are  but  the  night,  are  but  the  day. 
Wherein  he  rests  from  cyclic  toil 
Or  chants  the  song  of  starry  sway. 

*  He  falls  asleep  :   the  Shadowy  Fount 
Fills  all  our  heart  with  dreams  of  light : 
He  wakes  to  ancient  spheres,  and  we 
Through  iron  ages  mourn  the  night. 
We  will  not  wander  in  the  night 
But  in  a  darkness  more  divine 
Shall  join  the  Father  Light  of  Lights 
And  rule  the  long-descended  line.' 


40 


€!)e  fountain  of  J^ljaDotup  ^cautp 

Even  then  a  vasty  twilight  fell  : 
Wavered  in  air  the  shadowy  towers  : 
The  city  like  a  gleaming  shell. 
Its  azures,  opals,  silvers,  blues. 
Were  melting  in  more  dreamy  hues. 
We  feared  the  falling  of  the  night 
And  hurried  more  our  headlong  flight. 
In  one  long  line  the  towers  went  by  ; 
The  trembling  radiance  dropt  behind. 
As  when  some  swift  and  radiant  one 
Flits  by  and  ffings  upon  the  wind 
The  rainbow  tresses  of  the  sun. 

And  then  they  vanished  from  our  gaze 
Faded  the  magic  lights,  and  all 
Into  a  starry  radiance  fell 
As  waters  in  their  fountain  fall. 

We  knew  our  time-long  journey  o'er 
And  knew  the  end  of  all  desire. 
And  saw  within  the  emerald  glow 
Our  Father  like  the  white  sun-fire. 

We  could  not  say  if  age  or  vouth 
Was  en  his  face  :   we  onlv  burned 
To  pass  the  gateways  of  the  day. 
The  exiles  to  the  heart  returned. 


41 


€|)e  fountain  of  ^IjaDotnp  25eautp 

He  rose  to  greet  us  and  his  breath. 
The  tempest  music  of  the  spheres. 
Dissolved  the  memory  of  earth. 
The  cyclic  labour  and  our  tears. 
In  him  our  dream  of  sorrow  passed. 
The  spirit  once  again  was  free 
And  heard  the  song  the  morning  stars 
Chant  in  eternal  revelry. 

This  was  the  close  of  human  storv  ; 
We  saw  the  deep  unmeasured  shine. 
And  sank  within  the  mystic  glory 
They  called  of  old  the  Dark  Divine. 

Well  it  is  go7ie  now. 

The  dream  that  I  chanted : 

On  this  side  the  dawn  now 
I  sit  fate-implanted. 

But  though  of  my  dreaming 

The  dawn  has  bereft  me. 
It  all  was  not  seeming 

For  something  has  left  me. 

I  feel  in  some  other 

iVorld  far  from  this  cold  light 

42 


€l)e  fountain  of  ^Ijatioinp  ^cautp 

The  Dream  Bird,  my  brother. 
Is  rayed  with  the  gold  light. 

I  too  in  the  Father 

Would  hide  me,  and  so. 
Bright  Bird,  to  foregather 

With  thee  now  I  go. 


43 


WHERE  are  now  the  dreams  divine 
Fires  that  lit  the  dawning  soul, 
As  the  ruddy  colours  shine 
Through  an  opal  aureole  r 

Moving  in  a  joyous  trance. 
We  were  like  the  forest  glooms 
Rumorous  of  old  romance. 
Fraught  with  unimagined  dooms. 

Titans  we  or  morning  stars. 
So  we  seemed  in  days  of  old. 
Mingling  in  the  giant  wars 
Fought  afar  in  deeps  of  gold. 

God,  an  elder  brother  dear. 
Filled  with  kindly  light  our  thought  : 
Many  a  radiant  form  was  near 
Whom  our  hearts  remember  not. 

Would  they  know  us  now  ?     I  think 
Old  companions  of  the  prime 
From  our  garments  well  might  shrink. 
Muddied  with  the  lees  of  Time. 

Fade  the  heaven-assailing  moods  : 
Slave  to  petty  tasks  I  pine 
For  the  quiet  of  the  woods. 
And  the  sunlight  seems  divine. 

44 


And  I  yearn  to  lay  my  head 
Where  the  grass  is  green  and  sweet. 
Mother,  all  the  dreams  are  fled 
From  the  tired  child  at  thv  feet. 


45 


mtm 

DARK  glowed  the  vales  of  amethyst 
Beneath  an  opal  shroud  : 
The  moon  bud  opened  through  the  mist 
Its  white-fire  leaves  of  cloud. 

Though  rapt  at  gaze  with  eyes  of  light 
Looked  forth  the  seraph  seers. 
The  vast  and  wandering  dream  of  night 
Rolled  on  above  our  tears. 


46 


OUR  true  hearts  are  forever  lonely  : 

A  wistfulness  is  in  our  thought  : 

Our  lights  are  like  the  dawns  which  only 

Seem  bright  to  us  and  vet  are  not. 

Something  you  see  in  me  I  wis  not  : 

Another  heart  in  you  I  guess  : 

A  stranger's  lips — but  thine  I  kiss  not. 

Erring  in  all  mv  tenderness. 

J  sometimes  think  a  mighty  lover 
Takes  every  burning  kiss  we  give  : 
His  lights  are  those  which  round  us  hover 
For  him  alone  our  lives  we  live. 

Ah,  sigh  for  us  whose  hearts  unseeing 
Point  all  their  passionate  love  in  vain. 
And  bhnded  in  the  joy  of  being, 
Meet  only  when  pain  touches  pain. 


47 


IMAGE  of  beauty,  when  I  gaze  on  thee, 
Trembhng  I  waken  to  a  mystery. 
How  through  one  door  we  go  to  lite  or  death 
By  spirit  kindled  or  the  sensual  breath. 

Image  of  beauty,  when  my  way  I  go  ; 
No  single  joy  or  sorrow  do  I  know : 
Elate  for  freedom  leaps  the  starry  power. 
The  life  which  passes  mourns  its  wasted  hour. 

And,  ah,  to  think  how  thin  the  veil  that  lies 
Between  the  pain  of  hell  and  paradise  ! 
Where  the  cool  grass  my  aching  head  embowers 
God  sings  the  lovelv  carol  of  the  flowers. 


48 


WHAT  is  the  love  of  shadowv  lips 
That  know  not  what  thev  seek  or  press. 
From  whom  the  lure  for  ever  slips 
And  fails  their  phantom  tenderness  ? 

The  mystery  and  light  of  e\  es 

That  near  to  mine  grow  dim  and  cold; 

They  move  afar  in  ancient  skies 

Mid  flame  and  mystic  darkness  rolled. 

O  beauty,  as  thv  heart  o'erflows 
In  tender  vielding  unto  me, 
A  vast  desire  awakes  and  grows 
Unto  forgetfulness  of  thee. 


49 


THE  lights  shone  down  the  street 
In  the  long  blue  close  of  day  : 
A  bov's  heart  beat  sweet,  sweet. 
As  it  flowered  in  its  dreamy  day. 

Beyond  the  dazzling  throng 
And  above  the  towers  of  men 
The  stars  made  him  long,  long. 
To  return  to  their  light  again. 

They  lit  the  wondrous  years 
And  his  heart  within  was  gay  ; 
But  a  life  of  tears,  tears, 
He  had  won  for  himself  that  day. 


5° 


THE  streets  are  spread  with  dross  and  slime; 
The  black  pools  flash  a  steelv  light 
To  the  chill  stars  :    the  iron  time 
Manacles  us  in  night. 

What  cries  of  shadowy  hosts  in  woe. 

Who  beat  themselves  against  the  bars 

And  suffer,  why  they  do  not  know  : 

Lost  children  of  the  stars  ! 

I  will  arise  and  look  on  Him 
And  tread  the  vast  in  dreams,  and  keep 
The  fire  I  hold  from  burning  dim 
Like  theirs  who  moan  in  sleep. 


51 


€i)c  ^an  to  tijc  3llngcl 

I  HAVE  wept  a  million  tears: 
Pure  and  proud  one,  where  are  thine, 
What  the  gain  though  all  thy  years 
In  unbroken  beauty  shine  ? 

All  your  beauty  cannot  win 
Truth  we  learn  in  pain  and  sighs: 
You  can  never  enter  in 
To  the  circle  of  the  wise. 

They  are  but  the  slaves  of  light 
Who  have  never  known  the  gloom, 
And  between  the  dark  and  bright 
Willed  in  freedom  their  own  doom. 

Think  not  in  your  pureness  there. 
That  our  pain  but  follows  sin: 
There  are  fires  for  those  who  dare 
Seek  the  throne  of  might  to  win. 

Pure  one,  from  your  pride  refrain: 
Dark  and  lost  amid  the  strife 
I  am  myriad  years  of  pain 
Nearer  to  the  fount  ot  life. 

When  defiance  fierce  is  thrown 
At  the  God  to  whom  you  bow. 
Rest  the  lips  of  the  Unknown 
Tenderest  upon  my  brow. 


52 


€l)c  oBartim  of  ^Ooti 

WITHIN  the  iron  cities 
One  walked  unknown  for  years. 
In  his  heart  the  pity  of  pities 
That  grew  for  human  tears. 

When  love  and  grief  were  ended 
The  flower  of  pity  grew: 
By  unseen  hands  'twas  tended 
Aud  fed  with  holy  dew. 

Though  in  his  heart  were  barred  in 
The  blooms  of  beauty  blown, 
Yet  he  who  grew  the  garden 
Could  call  no  flower  his  own. 

For  by  the  hands  that  watered. 
The  blooms  that  opened  fair 
Through  frost  and  pain  we'-e  scattered 
To  sweeten  the  dead  air. 


53 


€f)e  l^our  of  Cluiligljt 

WHEN  the  unquiet  hours  depart 

And  far  away  their  tumults  cease. 

Within  the  twilight  of  the  heart 

We  bathe  in  peace,  are  stilled  with  peace. 

The  fire  that  slew  us  through  the  day 
For  angry  deed  or  sin  ot  sense 
Now  is  the  star  and  homeward  ray 
To  us  who  bow  in  penitence. 

We  kiss  the  lips  of  byegone  pain 

And  find  a  secret  sweet  in  them : 

The  thorns  once  dripped  with  shadowy  rain 

Are  bright  upon  each  diadem. 

Ceases  the  old  pathetic  strife. 
The  struggle  with  the  scarlet  sin  : 
The  mad  enchanted  laugh  of  life 
Tempts  not  the  soul  that  sees  within. 

No  riotous  and  fairy  song 
Allures  the  prodigals  who  bow 
Within  the  home  of  law,  and  throng 
Before  the  mystic  Father  now. 

Where  faces  of  the  elder  years. 

High  souls  absolved  from  grief  and  sin. 

Leaning  from,  out  ancestral  spheres 

Beckon  the  wounded  spirit  in. 


54 


I  WHO  had  sought  afar  from  earth 

The  faery  land  to  meet. 
Now  find  content  within  its  girth 

And  wonder  nigh  my  feet. 

To-dav  a  nearer  love  I  choose 
And  seek  no  distant  sphere  ; 
For  aureoled  by  faery  dews 
The  dear  brown  breasts  appear. 

With  rainbow  radiance  come  and  go 

The  airv  breaths  ot  day  ; 
And  eve  is  all  a  pearly  glow 

With  moonbow  winds  a-play. 

The  lips  of  twilight  burn  my  brow. 

The  arms  of  night  caress  : 
Glimmer  her  white  eyes  drooping  now 

With  grave  old  tenderness. 

I  close  mine  eyes  from  dream  to  be 
The  Diamond-rayed  again. 

As  in  the  ancient  hours  ere  we 
Forgot  ourselves  to  men. 

And  all  I  thought  of  heaven  before 

I  find  in  earth  below  : 
A  sunlight  in  the  hidden  core 

To  dim  the  noonday  glow. 


55 


311  |i)cU3  Wotlh 

And  with  the  earth  my  heart  is  glad, 

I  move  as  one  of  old  ; 
With  mists  of  silver  I  am  clad 

And  bright  with  burning  gold. 


56 


TWILIGHT,  a  blossom  grey  in  shadowy  valleys  dwells: 
Under  the  radiant  dark  the  deep  blue-tinted  bells 
In  quietness  reimage  heaven  within  their  blooms. 
Sapphire  and  gold  and  mystery.     What  strange  perfumes. 
Out  of  what  deeps  arising,  all  the  flower-bells  fling. 
Unknowing  the  enchanted  odorous  song  they  sing! 
Oh,  never  was  an  eve  so  living  yet:     the  wood 
Stirs  not  but  breathes  enraptured  quietude. 
Here  in  these  shades  the  Ancient  knows  itself,  the  Soul, 
And  out  of  slumber  waking  starts  unto  the  goal. 
What  bright  companions  nod  and  go  along  with  it! 
Out  of  the  teeming  dark  what  dusky  creatures  flit. 
That  through  the  long  leagues  of  the  island  night  above 
Come  by  me,  wandering,  whispering,  beseeching  love; 
As  in  the  twilight  children  gather  close  and  press 
Nigh  and  more  nigh  with  shadowy  tenderness, 
Feeling  they  know  not  what,  with  noiseless  footsteps  glide 
Seeking  familiar  lips  or  hearts  to  dream  beside. 
O  voices,  I  would  go  with  you,  with  you,  away. 
Facing  once  more  the  radiant  gateways  of  the  day; 
With  you,  with  vou,  what  memories  arise,  and  nigh 
Trampling  the  crowded  figures  of  the  dawn  go  by. 
Dread  deities,  the  giant  powers  that  warred  on  men 
Grow  tender  brothers  and  gav  children  once  again; 
Fades  everv  hate  awav  before  the  Mother's  breast 
Where  all  the  exiles  of  the  heart  return  to  rest. 


57 


OH,  if  mv  spirit  may  foretell 

Or  earlier  impart, 
It  is  because  I  always  dwell 

With  morning  in  my  heart. 

I  feel  the  keen  embrace  ot  light 

Ere  dawning  on  the  view 
It  spravs  the  chilly  fold  of  night 

With  iridescent  dew. 

The  robe  of  dust  around  it  cast 
Hides  not  the  earth  below. 

Its  heart  of  ruby  flame,  the  vast 
Mysterious  gloom  and  glow. 

Something  beneath  yon  coward  gaze 

Betrays  the  royal  line; 
Its  lust  and  hate,  but  errant  ravs. 

Are  at  their  root  divine. 

I  hail  the  light  of  elder  years 
Behind  the  niggard  mould. 

The  fiery  kings,  the  seraph  seers. 
As  in  the  age  of  gold. 

And  all  about  and  through  the  gloom 
Breaths  from  the  golden  clime 

Are  wafted  like  a  sweet  perfume 
From  some  most  ancient  time. 


I  FAIN  would  leave  the  tender  songs 

I  sang  to  you  of  old. 
Thinking  the  oft-sung  beauty  wrongs 

The  magic  never  told. 
And  touch  no  more  the  thoughts,  the  moods. 

That  win  the  easy  praise  ; 
But  venture  in  the  untrodden  woods 

To  carve  the  future  ways. 

Though  far  or  strange  or  cold  appear 

The  shadowy  things  I  tell, 
Within  the  heart  the  hidden  seer 

Knows  and  remembers  well. 

I  think  that  in  the  coming  time 

The  hearts  and  hopes  of  men 
The  mountain  tops  of  life  shall  climb. 

The  gods  return  again. 

I  strive  to  blow  the  magic  horn ; 

It  feebly  murmureth  ; 
Arise  on  some  enchanted  morn, 

Poet,  with  God's  own  breath! 

And  sound  the  horn  I  cannot  blow. 

And  by  the  secret  name 
Each  exile  of  the  heart  will  know 

Kindle  the  magic  flame. 


59 


aBlorp  and  J>l[)aDolu 


WHO  art  thou,  O  Glory, 
In  flame  from  the  deep 
Where  stars  chant  their  story; 
Why  trouble  my  sleep? 
I  hardly  had  rested; 
My  dreams  wither  now. 
Why  comest  thou  crested 
And  gemmed  on  thy  brow  ? 


Up,  Shadow,  and  follow 
The  way  I  shall  show: 
The  blue  gleaming  hollow 
To-night  we  will  know: 
And  rise  through  the  vast  to 
The  fountain  of  days 
From  whence  we  had  passed  to 
The  parting  of  ways. 


I  know  thee,  O  Glory; 
Thine  eyes  and  thv  brow 
With  white-fire  all  hoary 
Come  back  to  me  now. 
Together  we  wandered 

60 


^aiotp  anD  .^IjatiobJ 

In  ages  agone: 

Our  thoughts  as  we  pondered 

Were  stars  at  the  dawn. 

Mv  glorv  has  dwindled. 

My  azure  and  gold: 

Yet  vou  keep  enkindled 

The  sunfire  of  old. 

Mv  footsteps  are  tied  to 

The  heath  and  the  stone: 

My  thoughts  earth-allied-to, 

Ah,  leave  me  alone. 

Go  back,  thou  of  gladness, 

Nor  wound  me  with  pain, 

Nor  smite  me  with  madness. 

Nor  come  nigh  again. 


Whv  tremble  and  weep  now, 
Whom  stars  once  obeyed? 
Come  forth  to  the  deep  now 
And  be  not  afraid. 
The  Dark  One  is  calling 
I  know,  for  his  dreams 
Around  me  are  falling 
In  musical  streams. 
A  diamond  is  burning 

6i 


In  depths  of  the  Lone, 
Thv  spirit  returning 
May  claim  for  its  throne. 
In  flame-fringed  islands 
Its  sorrow  shall  cease. 
Absorbed  in  the  silence 
And  quenched  in  the  peace. 
Come  lay  thy  poor  head  on 
My  heart  where  it  glows 
With  love  ruby-red  on 
Thy  heart  for  its  woes. 
My  power  I  surrender; 
To  thee  it  is  due. 
Come  forth!   for  the  splendour 
Is  waiting  for  vou. 


62 


€iyc  free 

A    MEMORY 

THEY  bathed  in  the  fire-flooded  fountains: 
Lite  girdled  them  round  and  about: 
They  slept  in  the  clefts  of  the  mountains: 
The  stars  called  them  forth  with  a  shout. 

Thev  praved,  but  their  worship  was  only 
The  wonder  at  nights  and  at  days. 
As  still  as  the  lips  of  the  lonely 
Though  burning  with  dumbness  of  praise. 

No  sadness  of  earth  ever  captured 
Their  spirits  who  bowed  at  the  shrine: 
Thev  fled  to  the  Lonely  enraptured 
And  hid  in  the  darkness  divine. 

As  children  at  twilight  may  gather, 
Thev  met  at  the  doorway  ot  death 
The  smile  of  the  dark  hidden  Father, 
The  Mother  with  magical  breath. 

Untold  of  in  song  or  in  story. 
In  days  long  forgotten  of  men. 
Their  eyes  were  yet  blind  with  a  glory 
Time  will  not  remember  again. 


63 


€f)c  face  of  fatt^ 

OVER   all    the  dream  built  margin,  flushed  with 

grey  and  hoarv  light. 
Glint  the  bubble  planets  tossing  in  the  dead  black 

sea  of  night. 
Immemorial  face,  how  many  faces  look  from  out 

thy  skies. 
Now  with  ghostly  eyes  of  wonder  rimm.ed  around 

with  rainbow  dyes : 
Now    the    secrets    of  the    future    trail    along    the 

silent  spheres : 
Ah,  how  often  have  I  followed  filled  with  phantom 

hopes  and  fears. 
Where  my  star  that  rose  dream-laden,  moving  to 

the  mystic  crown. 
On  the  yellow  moon-rock  foundered  and  my  joy 

and  dreams  went  down. 
As  a  child  with  hands  uplifted   peering  through 

the  cloudless  miles 
Bent  the  mighty  mother  o'er  me  shining  all  with 

eyes  and  smiles : 
'  Come    up  hither,  child,    my    darling,  ;   waving 

to  the  habitations. 
Thrones,  and  starry  kings  around  her,  dark  em- 
battled planet  nations. 
There  the  mighty  rose  in  greeting,  as  their  child 

from  exile  turning 


64 


Cftc  face  of  jfaccsf 

Smiled  upon  the  awtul  faces  on  the  throne  super- 
nal burning. 
As    with    sudden    sweetness    melting,    shone    the 

eyes,  the  hearts  of  home. 
Changed  the  vision,  and  the  mother  vanished  in 

the  vasty  dome. 
So  from  marvel  unto    marvel   turned  the  face   I 

gazed  upon. 
Till  its    fading   majesty   grew    tender  as  a    child 

at  dawn, 
xAnd    the   heaven    of  heavens    departed    and    the 

visions  passed  away 
With  the  seraph  of  the  darkness  martvred  in  the 

fires  of  dav. 


65 


Clje  i^olbing  of  t|)c  Jting 

ON  the  bird  of  air  blue-breasted  glint  the 

rays  of  gold. 
And  its  shadowy  fleece  above  us  waves 

the  forest  old. 
Far  through     Tumorous  leagues    of  mid- 
night stirred  by  breezes  warm. 
See    the    old    ascetic    yonder,    ah,    poor 

withered  form. 
Where    he    crouches    wrinkled    over    by 

unnumbered  years 
Through  the  leaves  the  flakes  of  moon-fire 

fall  like  phantom  tears. 
At   the   dawn    a   kingly  hunter   swept   in 

proud  disdain. 
Like  a  rainbow  torrent   scattered   flashed 

his  royal  train. 
Now  the  lonely  one  unheeded  seeks  earth's 

caverns  dim  : 
Never    king    or    prince    will    robe    them 

radiantly  as  him 
'Mid  the  deep  enfolding  darkness  follow 

him,  O  seer. 
Where  the    arrow    will  is    piercing  fiery 

sphere  on  sphere. 
Through  the  blackness  leaps  and  sparkles 

gold  and  amethvst. 


66 


Zi^t  tiohin^  of  ti)c  liing 

Curling,  jetting,  and  dissolving  in  a  rain- 
bow mist. 
In    the  jewel    glow    and    lunar    radiance 

rises  there 
One  a  morning    star   in   beautv,    voung, 

immortal,  fair  : 
Sealed  in  heavy  sleep,  the  spirit  leaves  its 

faded  dress. 
Unto     fierv     vouth     returning     out     of 

weariness. 
Music  as  for  one  departing,   jov  as  for  a 

king, 
Sound   and   swell,   and   hark!   above  him 

cvmbals  triumphing. 
Fire,  an  aureole  encircling,  suns  his  brow 

with  gold. 
Like  to  one  who  hails  the  morning  on  the 

mountains  old. 
Open    mightier    vistas,    changing    human 

loves  to  scorns. 
And  the  spears  ot  glorv  pierce  him  like  a 

crown  ot  thorns. 
High  and  vet  more  high  to  freedom  as  a 

bird  he  springs. 
And   the   aureole   outbreathing,  gold   and 

silver  wings 


67 


Zl)t  Mnhinq  of  tiyt  J^ing 

Plume  the  brow  and  crown  the  seraph  : 

soon  his  journey  done 
He  will  pass  our  eves  that  follow,   sped 

beyond  the  sun. 
None    may    know    the    darker    radiance. 

King,  will  there  be  thine. 
Far  beyond  the  light  enfolded  in  the  life 

divine. 


68 


Wintct 

A  DIAMOND  glow  of  winter  o'er  the  world 
Amid  the  chilly  halo  nigh  the  west 
Flickers  a  phantom  violet  bloom  unfurled 
Dim  on  the  twilight's  breast. 

Only  phantasmal  blooms  but  for  an  hour, 
A  transient  beauty  ;  then  the  white  stars  shine 
ChilHng  the  heart :  I  long  for  thee  to  flower, 
O  bud  of  light  divine. 

But  never  visible  to  sense  or  thought 
The  flower  of  Beauty  blooms  afar  withdrawn  ; 
If  in  our  being  then  we  know  it  not. 
Or,  knowing,  it  is  gone. 


69 


THE  warmth  of  life  is  quenched  with  bitter  frost; 
Upon  the  lonely  road  a  child  limps  bv 
Skirting  the  frozen  pools:   our  way  is  lost: 
Our  hearts  sink  utterly. 

But  from  the  snow-patched  moorland  chill  and  drear. 
Lifting  our  eyes  beyond  the  spired  height. 
With  white-fire  lips  apart  the  dawn  breathes  clear 
Its  soundless  hymn  of  light. 

Out  of  the  vast  the  voice  of  one  replies 
Whose  words  are  clouds  and  stars  and  night  and  day. 
When  for  the  light  the  anguished  spirit  cries 
Deep  in  its  house  of  clay. 


70 


Dualitp 

From  me  spriiig  good  and  evil. 

WHO  gave  thee  such  a  ruby  flaming  heart 

And  such  a  pure  cold  spirit  ?     Side  by  side 

I  know  these  must  eternally  abide 

In  intimate  war,  and  each  to  each  impart 

Life  from  its  pain,  in  every  joy  a  dart 

To  wound  with  grief  or  death  the  self  allied. 

Red  life  within  the  spirit  crucified. 

The  eyes  eternal  pity  thee :  thou  art 

Fated  with  deathless  powers  at  war  to  be. 

Not  less  the  martyr  of  the  world  than  he 

Whose  thorn-crowned  brow  usurps  the  due  of  tears 

We  would  pav  to  thee,  ever  ruddy  life. 

Whose  passionate  peace  is  still  to  be  at-strife, 

O'erthrown  but  in  the  unconflicting  spheres. 


71 


THE  heavens  lay  hold  on  us :  the  starry  rays 

Fondle  with  flickering  fingers  brow  and  eyes  : 

A  new  enchantment  lights  the  ancient  skies. 

What  is  it  looks  between  us  gaze  on  gaze ; 

Does  the  wild  spirit  of  the  endless  days 

Chase  through  my  heart  some  lure  that  ever  flies? 

Only  I  know  the  vast  within  me  cries 

Finding  in  thee  the  ending  of  all  ways. 

Ah,  but  they  vanish ;  the  immortal  train 

From  thee,  from  me,  depart,  yet  take  from  thee 

Memorial  grace :  laden  with  adoration 

Forth  from  this  heart  they  flow  that  all  in  vain 

Would  stay  the  proud  eternal  powers  that  flee 

After  the  chase  in  burning  exultation. 


72 


THE  while  mv  mad  brain  whirled  around 
She  only  looked  with  eyes  elate 
Immortal  love  at  me.      I  found 
How  deep  the  glance  of  love  can  wound, 
How  cruel  pity  is  to  hate. 

I  was  begirt  with  hostile  spears : 
Mv  angel  warred  in  me  for  you 
Whose  gentle  calmness  all  too  fierce 
Made  unseen  hghtenings  to  pierce 
My  heart  that  dripped  with  ruddy  dew 

I  know  how  on  the  final  day 
The  hosts  of  darkness  meet  with  death: 
The  angels  with  their  love  shall  slay. 
Flowing  to  meet  the  dark  array 
With  terrible  yet  tender  breath. 


73 


myt  Sl^e^^age  of  2Foi)n 

An   Interpretation 

[St.  John,  i.   1-33.] 

IN  the  mighty  Mother' s  bosom  was  the  Whe 
With  the  mystic  Father  in  ceonian  night ; 
Aye,  for  ever  one  with  them   though  it  arise 

Going  forth  to  sound  its  hymn  of  light. 
At  its  incantation  rose  the  starry  fane  ; 
At  its  magic  thronged  the  myriad  race  of  men  ; 
Life  atvoke  that  in  the  womb  so  long  had  lain 

To  its  cyclic  labours  once  again. 

'  Tis  the  soul  of  fire  within  the  heart  of  life ; 
From  its  fiery  fountain  spring  the  will  and  thought , 
All  the  strength  of  man  for  deeds  of  love  or  strife. 
Though  the  darkness  comprehend  it  not. 

In  the  mystery  written  here 
John  is  but  the  life,  the  seer  ; 
Outcast  from  the  hfe  of  light. 
Inly  with  reverted  sight 
Still  he  scans  with  eager  e\'es 
The  celestial  mysteries. 
Poet  of  all  far-seen  things 
At  his  word  the  soul  has  wings, 
Revelations,  symbols,  dreams 
Of  the  inmost  light  which  gleams. 


74 


^)^c  jar^e^^age  of  Joljn 

The  winds,  the  stars,  and  the  skies  though  wrought 
By  the  one  Fire-Self  still  know  it  not ; 
And  man  who  movies  in  the  twilight  dim 
Feels  not  the  love  that  encircles  him. 
Though  in  heart,  on  bosom,  and  evelids  press 
Lips  of  an  infinite  tenderness. 
He  turns  away  through  the  dark  to  roam 
Nor  heeds  the  fire  in  his  hearth  and  home. 
They  whose  wisdom  everywhere 
Sees  as  through  a  crystal  air 
The  lamp  by  which  the  w'orld  is  lit. 
And  themselves  as  one  with  it ; 
In  whom  the  eye  of  vision  swells. 
Who  have  in  entranced  hours 
Caught  the  word  whose  might  compels 
All  the  elemental  powers ; 
They  arise  as  Gods  from  men 
Like  the  morning  stars  again. 
They  who  seek  the  place  of  rest 
Ouench  the  blood-heat  of  the  breast, 
Grow  ascetic,  inward  turning 
Trample  down  the  lust  from  burning, 
Silence  in  the  self  the  will 
For  a  power  diviner  still ; 
To  the  fire-born  Self  alone 
The  ancestral  spheres  are  known. 


75 


€|)c  ^t^^aqt  of  3^o|)n 

Unto  the  poor  dead  shadows  came 
Wisdom  mantled  about  with  flame ; 
We  had  eyes  that  could  see  the  hght 
Born  of  the  mystic  Father's  might. 
Glory  radiant  with  powers  untold 
And  the  breath  of  God  around  it  rolled. 
Life  that  moved  in  the  deeps  below 
Felt  the  fire  in  its  bosom  glow  ; 

Life  awoke  with  the  Light  allied. 
Grew  divinely  stirred,  and  cried : 
'This  is  the  Ancient  of  Days  within. 
Light  that  is  ere  our  davs  begin. 

'Every  power  in  the  spirit's  ken 

Springs  anew  in  our  lives  again. 

We  had  but  dreams  of  the  heart's  desire 

Beauty  thrilled  with  the  mystic  fire. 

The  white-fire  breath  whence  springs  the  power 

Flows  alone  in  the  spirit's  hour.' 

Man  arose  from  the  earth  he  trod. 
Grew  divine  as  he  gazed  on  God : 
Light  in  a  fiery  whirlwind  broke 
Out  of  the  dark  divine  and  spoke: 
Man  went  forth  through  the  vast  to  tread 
By  the  spirit  of  wisdom  charioted. 

76 


€]()c  a^CjSJ^agc  of  S  ol)n 

There  came  the  learned  of  the  schools 

Who  measure  heavenly  things  by  rules. 

The  sceptic,  doubter,  the  logician. 

Who  in  all  sacred  things  precisian. 

Would  mark  the  limit,  fix  the  scope, 

'Art  thou  the  Christ  for  whom  we  hope? 

Art  thou  a  magian,  or  in  thee 

Has  the  divine  eye  power  to  see?" 

He  answered  low  to  those  who  came, 

'Not  this,  nor  this,  nor  this  I  claim. 

More  than  the  yearning  of  the  heart 

I  have  no  wisdom  to  impart. 

I  am  the  voice  that  cries  in  him 

Whose  heart  is  dead,  w^hose  eyes  are  dim, 

"Make  pure  the  paths  where  through  may  run 

The  light-streams  from  that  golden  one. 

The  Self  who  lives  within  the  sun," 

As  spake  the  seer  of  ancient  days.' 

The  voices  from  the  earthlv  ways 

Questioned  him  still :      '  What  dost  thou  here, 

if  neither  prophet,  king  nor  seer  ? 

What  power  is  kindled  by  thy  might  ? ' 

«I  flow  before  the  feet  of  Light; 

I  am  the  purifying  stream. 

But  One  of  whom  ye  have  no  dream. 

Whose  footsteps  move  among  you  still. 


11 


€()e  a^c^-sfagc  of  ^Fofjn 

Though  dark,  divine,  invisible. 
Impelled  by  Him,  before  His  ways 
I  journey,  though  I  dare  not  raise 
Even  from  the  ground  these  eyes  so  dim 
Or  look  upon  the  feet  of  Him.' 

When  the  dead  or  dreamy  hours 
Like  a  mantle  fall  away. 

Wakes  the  eye  of  gnostic  powers 
To  the  light  of  hidden  day. 

And  the  yearning  heart  within 
Seeks  the  true,  the  only  friend. 

He  who  burdened  with  our  sin 
Loves  and  loves  unto  the  end. 

Ah,  the  martyr  of  the  world. 
With  a  face  of  steadfast  peace 

Round  whose  brow  the  light  is  curled 
'Tis  the  Lamb  with  golden  fleece. 

So  they  called  of  old  the  shining. 

Such  a  face  the  sons  of  men 
See,  and  all  its  life  divining 

Wake  primeval  fires  again. 

Such  a  face  and  such  a  glory 
Passed  before  the  eyes  of  John, 


7S 


€i)t  ^e^^aqc  of  3  oljii 

With  a  breath  of  olden  story 
Blown  from  ages  long  agone 

Who  would  know  the  God  in  man. 
Deeper  still  must  be  his  glance. 
Veil  on  veil  his  eye  must  scan 
For  the  mystic  signs  which  tell 
If  the  fire  electric  fell 
On  the  seer  in  his  trance ; 
As  his  wav  he  upward  wings 
From  all  time-encircled  things, 
Flames  the  glory  round  his  head 
Like  a  bird  with  wings  outspread 
Gold  and  silver  plumes  at  rest ; 
Such  a  shadowy  shining  crest, 
Round  the  hero's  head  reveals  him 
To  the  soul  that  would  adore. 
As  the  master-power  that  heals  him 
And  the  fount  of  secret  lore. 
Nature  such  a  diadem 
Places  on  her  roval  line. 
Every  eye  that  looks  on  them 
Knows  the  Sons  of  the  Divine 


79 


€lje  l^our  of  tJje  iaing 

WHO  would  think  this  quiet  breather 
From  the  world  had  taken  flight  ? 
Yet  within  the  form  we  see  there 
Wakes  the  golden  King  to-night. 

Out  upon  the  face  of  faces 
He  looked  forth  before  his  sleep  : 
Now  he  knows  the  starrv  races 
Haunters  of  the  ancient  deep. 

On  the  Bird  of  Diamond  Glory 
Floats  in  mystic  floods  of  song: 
As  he  lists  Time's  triple  story- 
Seems  but  as  a  day  is  long. 

From  the  mightier  Adam  falling 
To  his  image  dwarfed  in  clay. 
He  will  at  our  voices  calling 
Come  to  this  side  of  the  day. 

When  he  wakes,  the  dreamy-hearted. 
He  will  know  not  whence  he  came. 
And  the  light  from  which  he  parted 
Be  the  seraph's  sword  of  flame. 

And  behind  it  hosts  supernal 
Guarding  the  lost  paradise. 
And  the  tree  of  life  eternal 
From  the  weeping  human  eyes. 


80 


%  IteaHcr 

THOUGH  vour  eves  with  tears  were  blind, 
Pain  upon  the  path  you  trod: 
Well  we  knew,  the  hosts  behind, 
Voice  and  shining  of  a  god. 

For  your  darkness  was  our  day. 
Signal  fires,  your  pains  untold 
Lit  us  on  our  wandering  way 
To  the  mystic  heart  of  gold. 

Naught  we  knew  of  the  high  land. 
Beauty  burning  in  its  spheres; 
Sorrow  we  could  understand 
And  the  mystery  told  in  tears. 


COULD  you  not  in  silence  borrow 
Strength  to  go  from  us  ungrieving? 
All  these  hours  of  loving  sorrow 
Only  make  more  bitter  leaving. 

You  will  go  forth  lonely,  thinking 
Of  the  pain  you  leave  behind  you; 
From  the  golden  sunlight  shrinking 
For  the  earthly  tears  will  blind  you. 

Better,  ah,  if  now  we  parted 
For  the  Httle  while  remaining; 
You  would  seek  when  broken-hearted 
For  the  mightv  heart's  sustaining. 

You  would  go  then  gladly  turning 
From  our  place  of  wounds  and  weeping. 
With  vour  soul  for  comfort  burning 
To  the  mother-bosom  creeping. 


82 


ajntiurancc 

HE  bent  above:   so  still  her  breath 

What  air  she  breathed  he  could  not  say, 

Whether  in  worlds  of  life  or  death: 

So  softly  ebbed  away,  awav, 

The  life  that  had  been  light  to  him. 

So  fled  her  beautv  leaving  dim 

The  emptying  chambers  of  his  heart 

Thrilled  only  bv  the  pang  and  smart. 

The  dull  and  throbbing  agony 

That  suffers  still,  yet  knows  not  why. 

Love's  immortality  so  blind 

Dreams  that  all  things  with  it  conjoined 

Must  share  with  it  immortal  dav: 

But  not  of  this — but  not  of  this — 

The  couch,  the  eyes,  the  laugh,  the  kiss. 

Fall  from  it  and  it  goes  its  way. 

So  blind  he  wept  above  her  clay, 

*  I  did  not  think  that  you  could  die. 

Only  some  veil  would  cover  vou 

Our  loving  eyes  could  still  pierce  through; 

And  see  through  dusky  shadows  still 

Move  as  of  old  vour  wild  sweet  will. 

Impatient  everv  heart  to  win 

And  flash  its  heavenly  radiance  in.' 

Though  all  the  worlds  were  sunk  in  rest 

The  ruddy  star  witin  his  breast 


83 


€ntiurancc 

Would  croon  its  tale  of  ancient  pain, 

Its  sorrow  that  would  never  wane. 

The  memory  of  the  days  ot  yore 

Moulded  in  beauty  evermore. 

Ah,  immortality  so  blind. 

To  dream  all  things  with  it  conjoined 

Must  follow  it  from  star  to  star 

And  share  with  it  immortal  years. 

The  memory,  yearning,  grief,  and  tears. 

Fall  from  it  and  it  goes  afar. 

He  walked  at  night  along  the  sands. 

He  saw  the  stars  dance  overhead. 

He  had  no  memory  of  the  dead. 

But  lifted  up  exultant  hands 

To  hail  the  future  like  a  boy. 

The  mvriad  paths  his  feet  might  press. 

Unhaunted  by  old  tenderness 

He  felt  an  inner  secret  joy — 

A  spirit  of  unfettered  will 

Through  light  and  darkness  moving  still 

Within  the  All  to  find  its  own. 

To  be  immortal  and  alone. 


84 


THIS  is  the  red,  red  region 
Your  heart  must  journey  through: 
Your  pains  will   here  be  legion 
And  joy  be  death  for  you. 

Rejoice  to-day:    to-morrow 
A  turning  tide  shall  flow 
Through  infinite  tones  of  sorrow 
To  reach  an  equal  woe. 

You  pass  by  love  unheeding 
To  gain  the  goal  you  long — ■ 
But  mv  heart,  my  heart  is  bleeding 
I  cannot   sing  this  song. 


€ljc  €itic  of  .f»orrolu 

ON  the  twilight-burnished  hills  I  lie  and  long  and  gaze 
Where  below  the  grey-lipped  sands  drink  in  the  flowing 

tides. 
Drink,  and  fade  and  disappear:   interpreting  their  ways 
A  seer  in  my  heart  abides. 

Once   the  diamond  dancing   day-waves   laved  thy  thirsty 

lips  : 
Now  they  drink  the   dusky   night-tide   running   cold   and 

fleet. 
Drink,  and  as  the  chilly  brilliance  o'er  their  pallor  slips 
They  fade  in  the  touch  they  meet. 

Wave  on  wave  of  pain  where  leaped  of  old   the  billowy 

joys  : 
Hush  and  still  thee  now  unmoved  to  drink  the  bitter  sea. 
Drink  with  equal  heart  :   be  brave  ;   and   life  with  laugh- 
ing voice 
And  death  will  be  one  for  thee. 

Ere  my  mortal  days  pass  by  and  life  in  the  world  be  done. 
Oh,  to  know  what  world  shall  rise  within  the  spirit's  ken 
When  it  grows  into  the  peace  where  hght  and  dark  are 
one  ! 
What  voice  for  the  world  of  men  ? 


A  MAN  went  forth  one  day  at  eve: 

The  long  day's  toil  for  him  was  done: 

The  eye  that  scanned  the  page  could  leave 

Its  task  until  to-morrow's  sun. 

Upon  the  threshold  where  he  stood 

Flared  on  his  tired  eyes  the  sight, 

Where  host  on  host  the  multitude. 

Burned  fiercely  in  the  dusky  night 

The  starry  lights  at  play — at  play — 

The  giant  children  of  the  blue, 

Heaped  scorn  upon  his  trembling  clay 

And  with  their  laughter  pierced  him  through. 

They  seemed  to  say  in  scorn  of  him 
<The  power  we  have  was  once  in  thee. 
King,  is  thy  spirit  grown  so  dmi. 
That  thou  art  slave  and  we  are  free  r ' 

As  out  of  him  the  power — the  power — 

The  free — the  fearless,  whirled  in  play. 

He  knew  himself  that  bitter  hour 

The  close  of  all  his  royal  day. 

And  from  the  stars'  exultant  dance 

Within  the  fiery  furnace  glow. 

Exile  of  all  the  vast  expanse, 

He  turned  him  homeward  sick  and  slow. 


87 


3^11  tlyt  iBoniti 

STILL  rests  the  heavy  share  on  the  dark  soil: 
Upon  the  black  mould  thick  the  dew-damp  lies: 
The  horse  waits  patient:   from  his  lowly  toil 
The  ploughboy  to  the  morning  lifts  his  eves. 

The  unbudding  hedgerows  dark  against  day's  fires 
Ghtter  with  gold-lit  crystals:    on  the  rim 
Over  the  unregarding  city's  spires 
The  lonely  beauty  shines  alone  for  him. 

And  day  by  day  the  dawn  or  dark  enfolds 
And  feeds  with  beauty  eyes  that  cannot  see 
How  in  her  womb  the  mighty  mother  moulds 
The  infant  spirit  for  eternitv. 


88 


^tar  ^eacljcrisf 

EVEN  as  a  bird  sprays  many-coloured  fires. 
The  plumes  of  paradise,  the  dying  light 
Rays  through  the  fevered  air  in  misty  spires 
That  vanish  in  the  height. 

Vanish  beyond  the  stars  and  further  dreams. 

The  heaven  of  heavens.      Here  in  my  thought  the 

dome 
Flashes  about  me  with  familiar  gleams 
Of  birthplace  and  of  home. 

These  myriad  eyes  that  look  on  me  are  mine; 
Wandering  beneath  them  I  have  found  again 
The  ancient  ample   moment,  the  divine. 
The  God-root  within  men. 

For  this,  for  this  the  lights  innumerable 
As  svmbols  shine  that  we  the  true  light  win: 
For  every  star  and  everv  deep  they  fill 
Are  stars  and  deeps  within. 

Heroes  and  gods  beneath  them  come  and  go: 
Still  the  heroic,  the  divine,  remain 
Breathing  from  these  the  strength  that  quiets  woe. 
With  beautv  crowning  pain. 


A  FRIENDLY  mountain  I  know  ; 
As  I  lie  on  the  green  slope  there 
It  sets  my  heart  in  a  glow 
And  closes  the  door  on  care. 

A  thought  I  try  to  frame — 

I  was  with  you  long  ago  ; 

My  soul  from  your  heart  out-came  ; 

Mountain,  is  that  not  so  ? 

Take  me  again,  dear  hills, 
Open  the  door  to  me 
Where  the  magic  murmur  thrills 
The  halls  I  do  not  see, 

Thy  halls  and  caverns  deep; 
Though  sometimes  I  may  dare 
Down  the  twilight  stairs  of  sleep 
To  meet  the  kingly  there. 

Sometimes  on  flaming  wings 

I  sit  upon  a  throne 

And  watch  how  the  great  star  swings 

Along  the  sapphire  zone. 

It  has  wings  of  its  own  for  flight. 
Diamond  its  pinions  strong. 
Glories  of  opal  and  white, 
J  watch  the  whole  night  long. 

90 


Until  I  needs  must  lav 
My  roval  robes  aside 
To  toil  in  a  world  of  grev. 
Grey  shadows  by  my  side. 

And  when  I  ponder  it  o'er 
Grev  memories  onlv  bide. 
But  their  fading  lips  tell  more 
Than  all  the  world  beside. 


91 


%  tittum 

WE  turned  back  mad  from  the  mystic  mountains. 
All  foamed  with  red  and  with  elfin  gold : 
Up  from  the  heart  of  the  twilight's  fountains 
The  fires  enchanted  were  starward  rolled. 

We  turned  back  mad :   we  thought  of  the  morrow. 
The  iron  clang  of  the  far-away  town : 
We  could  not  weep  in  our  bitter  sorrow. 
But  joy  as  an  Arctic  sun  went  down. 


92 


Content 

WHO  are  exiles?     As  tor  me 
Where  beneath  the  diamond  dome 
Lies  the  hght  on  hill  or  tree, 
There  mv  palace  is  and  home. 

Who  are  lonely  lacking  care  ? 
Here  the  winds  are  living,  press 
Close  on  bosom,  lips  and  hair — 
Well  I  know  their  soft  caress. 

Sad  or  fain  no  more  to  live  r 
I  have  pressed  the  lips  of  pain  ; 
With  the  kisses  lovers  give. 
Ransomed  ancient  joys  again. 

Captive  .?     See  what  stars  give  light 
In  the  hidden  heart  of  clay: 
At  their  radiance  dark  and  bright 
Fades  the  dreamy  king  of  dav. 

Night  and  day  no  more  eclipse 
Friendlv  eves  that  on  us  shine. 
Speech  from  old  familiar  lips 
Playmates  of  a  youth  divine. 

Brothers  weary,  come  avvav; 
We  will  quench  the  heart's  desire 
Past  the  gateways  of  the  day 
In  the  rapture  of  the  fire. 

93 


WELL,  when  all  is  said  a?id  done 
Best  within  my  narrow  zvay. 
May  some  angel  of  the  sun 
Muse  memorial  o"" er  my  clay: 

'  Here  was  beauty  all  betrayed 
From  the  freedom  of  her  state; 
From  her  human  uses  stayed 
On  an  idle  rhyme  to  wait. 

Ah,  zvhat  deep  despair  might  move 
If  the  beauty  lit  a  smile. 
Or  the  heart  was  warm  with  love 
That  was  pondering  the  while. 

He  has  built  his  monument 
IVith  the  winds  of  time  at  strife. 
Who  could  have  before  he  went 
Written  on  the  book  of  life. 

To  the  stars  from  zvhich  he  came 
Empty  handed,  he  goes  home ; 
He  who  might  have  tur ought  in  flame 
Only  traced  upon  the  foam. '' 


94 


(Cbe  €artb  ^jrcatb  anb  other  poems,  printcb  tor  John  Hunt 
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